Munster chooses a new chairman

A changing of the guard will occur when the Annual Delegates’ Meeting of the Munster Council, Golfing Union of Ireland, takes place tonight in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow.

John Moloughney (Templemore) stands down as chairman to assume the role of president-elect of the GUI, leading to a contest between Jim Long (Monkstown), proposed by the provincial council; Liam Harkin (Muskerry), proposed by Muskerry GC, and Michael Lawlor (Ballybunion), proposed by Castleisland GC as his replacement. Long and Harkin have retired from their respective positions as Honorary Secretary and Honorary Match & Handicap Secretary and are replaced by Barry Lynch (Raffeen Creek) and Dave Prendergast (Cork GC), both unopposed. Peter English (Limerick GC) continues as Hon Treasurer.

In his report to the AGM, John Moloughney expressed a degree of sadness, though he is moving on to greater things. Mallow’s Dick Barry, a legendary figure in Munster golf, invited the retired Garda to join the junior committee back in the mid 1980s and he has been a tireless worker for the amateur game since.

The report of Honorary Treasurer Peter English reveals there has been an increase of 391 (1%) in the adult membership, but a decrease of 228 in junior membership. There are 28,596 adult members and 4,810 juniors. The highest number in each category in recent years was 33,913 in 2011 and 5,852 in 2012.

“Our accounts for the year show an excess of expenditure over income of €25,208,” says the treasurer’s report.